During warm weather months our stroller withstands all kinds of indignities: mud, sand and countless meals on wheels. Before it gets too cold, we like to give our stroller a thorough cleaning. It's a good way to preserve condition and value and to avoid finding last year's cheese and crackers on the first nice spring day. Here are a few tips for getting strollers clean.

• Start by vacuuming all fabric surfaces. Pay special attention to the crease where the seat meets the back, which is the crumbiest spot in every stroller.
• Remove all hard plastic accessories and give a good scrub. Snack trays are eating surfaces, so treat them as you would any other, with dish soap and elbow grease.
• Refer to the owner's manual to check if fabric components are removable. Bugaboo cloth parts are easy off, sort of easy back on, while BOB strollers require unscrewing the bolts that hold the fabric to the frame. Depending on manufacturer guidelines, hand or machine wash fabric stroller parts.
• If none of the fabric is removable then take things outside. Strollers are designed to withstand outdoor use, so make it rain. Soap, a scrub brush and a garden hose can work wonders. Make sure to do this early on a sunny day to assure a quick dry.
• Wipe down the frame with an all-purpose cleaner. If you've noticed any squeaks or sticky spots then this is a good opportunity to hit those areas with a little WD-40.
• Preserve your hard work and store your stroller in a good spot. If it lives in the garage or some other schmutzy spot then consider using utility hooks to get it off of the floor and away from dirt and debris.

(Image: Roni Shapira Ben-Yoseph)